Breeds of Dairy Cattle

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Breeds of Dairy Cattle

• Original Power Point Created by Bob Schroeder
• Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education
  Curriculum Office
  
• June 2002

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Holstein History

• The Holstein cow originated in Europe
• The major historical development of this breed
  occurred in what is now the Netherlands
  
• Winthrop Chenery brought the first Holstein over
  so the sailors could have milk
  
• He noticed her high production and started to
  bring over more
  

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Holstein Characteristics

• Holsteins are large, stylish animals with color
  patterns of black and white or red and white
  
• Average production for all Holsteins enrolled in
  official U.S. production-testing programs in 1987
  was 17,408 pounds of milk, 632 pounds of
  butterfat and 550 pounds of protein per year

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Brown Swiss History

• Brown Swiss breed originated in the mountain
  pastures of the Swiss Alps
  
• The Brown Swiss breed in the United States was
  declared a dairy breed in 1906
  

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Brown Swiss Characteristics

• light silver to dark brown with dark points
• 15,883 lbs of milk per lactation 3.97 fat
• a mature female weighs 1400 lbs
• particularly strong feet and legs because of the
  mountains
  
• docile, people-friendly demeanor

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Guernsey History

• The Isle of Guernsey, a tiny island in the
  English Channel off the coast of France, is the
  birthplace of the Guernsey cow
  
• The Monks from France brought Frances best
  bloodlines and came up with the Guernsey
  
• Introduction of the Guernsey to America occurred
  around September 1840, when Captain Belair of the
  Schooner Pilot brought three Alderney cows to the
  port of New York

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Guernseys Characteristics

• The Guernsey cow is known for producing
  high-butterfat and high-protein milk
  
• Guernseys produce their high quality milk while
  consuming 20 to 30 percent less feed per pound of
  milk
  
• The Guernsey is also an excellent grazer
• Produces 14,667 pounds of milk, 659 pounds of
  butterfat and 510 pounds of protein
  

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Jersey History

• The Jersey breed originated on the Island of
  Jersey, a small British island in the English
  Channel
  
• The island of Jersey was very protective of this
  breed. Because of this the breed stayed
  distinctive for many years
  

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Jersey Characteristics

• Jerseys are adapted to a wide range of climatic
  and geographical conditions
  
• Jerseys vary greatly in color, but the
  characteristic color is golden fawn, with or
  without white markings
  
• smallest of the dairy breeds
• long life (61.1 months vs 56.2 months)
• its nutritive content is 28.46 greater than
  ordinary milk
  

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Ayrshire History

• The Ayrshire breed originated in the County of
  Ayr in Scotland, prior to 1800
  
• Prior to 1800 many of the cattle of Ayrshire were
  black, although by 1775 browns and mottled colors
  started to appear.
  
• early breeders carefully crossed and selected the
  various strains of cattle
  

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Ayrshire Characteristics

• red and white
• medium-sized cattle and should weigh over 1200
  pounds at maturity
  
• strong, rugged cattle that adapt to all
  management systems including group handling on
  dairy farms with free stalls and milking parlors
  
• 12,000 pounds of milk with a 3.9 Butterfat
• Calves are strong and easy to raise

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Shorthorn History

• Shorthorn originated Tees River Valley in the
  northeastern part of England
  
• The Colling brothers, Charles and Robert, are
  often referred to as the founders of the
  Shorthorn breed of cattle
  
• first systematic breeding program
• They were brought to America in 1783

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Shorthorn Characteristics

• color ranges from red to roan to white
• In the feedlot, these cattle attain 1,000 to
  1,200 pound weights at an early age
  
• ease of calving
• docile
• healthy calves

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Quiz Time!!!!!!!!!!
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What is this breed?
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What is this breed?
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What is this breed?
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What is this breed?
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What is this breed?
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What is this breed?
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Answers

• 1.Holstein
• 2.Brown Swiss
• 3.Guernsey
• 4.Jersey
• 5. Ayrshire
• 6.Milking Shorthorn